A Historical Tour of
ISRAEL
A TOUR OF ISRAEL
In our presentation, we have included some history, culture,
government and customs to give some background to the trip. We
finish with the itinerary.
On 14 May 1948, Israel proclaimed its independence.
White with a blue hexagram, known as the Magen David or Shield of David, centered between two
equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag; the basic design resembles a
Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is white with blue stripes; the hexagram as a Jewish symbol dates
back to medieval times
Flag of Israel
The Israeli national anthem, Hatikva , is over one hundred years old. Its melody is of unknown origin,
although some believe it comes from an Eastern European fold song. Its lyrics are explicitly Zionist,
extolling the return of the Jews to their holy land. The song was banned from the airwaves during the
British mandate, and it continues to be somewhat controversial today; there has been some debate as
to whether its Zionist message is still valid.
http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Israel.html#ixzz1rnWTXEBR
Israel is a Middle Eastern county located east of the Mediterranean Sea. It boasts famous
cities such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Bethlehem and more.
Israel’s Military
Military branches:
Military service age and obligation :
Israel Defense Forces ( IDF), Israel Naval Force (IN),
Israel Air Force (IAF) (2010)
18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and
voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military
service; both sexes are obligated to military service;
conscript service obligation - 36 months for enlisted
men, 21 months for enlisted women, 48 months for
officers; pilots commit to 9 years service; reserve
obligation to age 41-51 (men), 24 (women) (2010)
Manpower available for military service :
males age 16-49: 1,797,960
females age 16-49: 1,713,230 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service :
males age 16-49: 1,517,510
females age 16-49: 1,446,132 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age
annuall y:
Military expendit ures :
male: 62,304
female: 59,418 (2010 est.)
7.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 6
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/is.html#top
Israel’s System of Government
Israel is a parliamentary democracy with legislative, executive and judicial branches.
The head of the state is the president, whose duties are mostly ceremonial and formal;
the office symbolizes the unity and sovereignty of the state. The Knesset, Israel's
legislative authority, is a 120-member unicameral parliament which operates in plenary
session and through 12 standing committees. Its members are elected every four years
in universal nationwide elections. The government (cabinet of ministers) is charged
with administering internal and foreign affairs. It is headed by a prime minister and is
collectively responsible to the Knesset.
Population
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Since its inception in 1948, Israel's population has grown almost ten-fold.
Its 7.8 million inhabitants comprise a mosaic of people with varied ethnic backgrounds,
lifestyles, religions, cultures and traditions.
Today Jewish citizens comprise some 75.4% of the country’s population, while the
country's non-Jewish citizens number about 24.6%.
http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/facts%20about%20israel/israel%20in%20brief/
Industry
Israel's industry concentrates on manufacturing products with a high
value that are primarily based on technological innovation. These
include medical electronics, agro technology, telecommunications,
computer hardware and software, solar energy, food processing and
fine chemicals.
Agriculture
Israel's agricultural successes are the result of a long
struggle against harsh, adverse conditions and of
making maximum use of scarce water and arable land.
Today, agriculture represents some 2.4% of GNP and
2% of exports. Israel produces 93% of its own food
requirements, supplemented by imports of grain, oil
seeds, meat, coffee, cocoa and sugar, which are more
than offset by the wide range of agricultural products
for export.
Foreign Trade
Trade is conducted with countries on six continents. Some 48% of imports
and 32% of exports are with Europe, boosted by Israel's free trade agreement
with the EU (concluded in 1975). A similar agreement was signed with the
United States (1985), whose trade with Israel accounts for 12% of Israel's
imports and 35% of its exports.
Culture
Thousands of years of history, the ingathering of the Jews from over 70
countries, a society of multi-ethnic communities living side by side, and an
unending flow of international input via satellite and cable have contributed
to the development of an Israeli culture which reflects worldwide elements
while striving for an identity of its own. Cultural expression through the arts
is as varied as the people themselves; with literature, theater, concerts, radio
and television programming, entertainment, museums and galleries for every
interest and taste.
http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/facts%20about%20israel/israel%20in%20brief/
Pics@ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/photo_gallery/is/photo_gallery_A1_is_1.html
Archeology
Archeology in Israel involves the systematic investigation of all the
remains of the country's past - from prehistory to the end of Ottoman
rule. The profusion of material remains is evidence of the many
cultures that have left their imprint on the Land.
Above all archeological research clearly reveals the historical link
between the Jewish people, the Bible and the Land of Israel, uncovering
the remains of the cultural heritage of the Jewish people in its
homeland. These visible remains, buried in the soil, constitute the
physical link between the past, the present and the future of the Jewish
people in its country.
This unbroken chain of history can be observed at sites all over the
country. Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, has been the focus of extensive
archeological activity and remains of 5,000 years of history have been
revealed.
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/History/History+of+Israel/Facts%20about
%20Israel-%20History
Currency
• The New Israeli Shekel (NIS) is
the country's freely traded
currency.
• Coin denominations are 5, 10
and 50 agorot, and 1, 5 and 10
NIS.
• Banknotes are available in
denominations of 20, 50, 100 and
200 NIS.
• US dollars and various European
currencies are also legal tender,
with change made in NIS.
• Travellers' checks are widely
accepted.
• Israeli currency can be converted
in an airport or border banks.
ISRAELI HOLIDAYS
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Shabbat: The weekly day of rest, the Jewish
Sabbath is celebrated from sundown Friday
through Saturday evening.
Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year, also
known as the Day of Judgment. Marks the
beginning of the Days of Awe.
Yom Kippur: The Jewish Day of Atonement
and a fast day, marks the end of the Days of
Awe.
Simhat Torah: Celebrates the ending of one
cycle of reading the entire Torah in synagogue,
and the beginning of a new cycle.
Sukkot : Recalls when the People of Israel lived
in fragile huts in the desert after the exodus
from ancient Egypt. It is also one of the
pilgrimage holidays to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Hanukkah: The Jewish Festival of Lights,
Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the
Maccabean army over the Greeks in 165 BCE
and the rededication of the Temple in
Jerusalem.
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Tu Bishvat: The New Year of the Trees,
symbolized by eating foods from the Land of
Israel.
Purim: A boisterous and festive holiday
celebrating when Queen Esther saved the Jews of
Persia from destruction in 473 BCE. Purim
Recipes
Passover: Commemorates the exodus of the
People of Israel from ancient Egypt, highlighted
by the Passover Seder meal.
Yom Haatzmaut: Celebrates the establishment of
the State of Israel on May 14, 1948.
Lag B’omer: A holiday marking Jewish unity and
pride that is celebrated with parades, outings and
bonfires at night.
Shavuot: Also known as the Harvest Festival and
the First Fruits Festival, Shavuot celebrates the
giving of the Torah to the People of Israel at Mt.
Sinai.
Food
Israel is known in the Bible as
the "land of milk and honey."
 Today Israel is widely credited
with a rich and distinctive
cuisine; one reflecting the
diversity of Israeli society, but
with roots deeply planted in
Jewish and regional customs.
 Falafels (pita style sandwiches)
are a common favorite.
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http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Israel.html#ixzz1rnWIs54f
Israeli Cultures
 What people wear in Israel reflects the fact that the country is the
crossroads of many cultures and religions. This influences local
fashion as much as the climate and geography do.
 Many Arabs and Bedouins maintain their traditional headdress and
embroidered robes, regardless of their religion.
 When visiting holy sites or religious neighborhoods, women should
wear skirts and long sleeves, and men should wear long pants.
Otherwise, you may be refused entry to some tourist sites.
 In coastal cities like Tel Aviv, anything goes!
http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Israel.html
Resources & Travel
Israel is relatively poor in natural resources, but the natural resources and
minerals they do have are lumber, potash (potassium chloride), copper ore,
natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, and sand.
Israel has many modern day conveniences of travel; many tour group’s tour in a
charter bus. Israel is a very rocky, mountainous country, so comfortable tennis
shoes or hiking boots are a must!
http://www.indexmundi.com/israel/natural_resources.html
Sports
The most popular sport of Israel is soccer, with basketball
and tennis a close second.
Israeli soccer team
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Facts+About+Israel/Culture/CULTURE-+Sports.htm
The Language
Israeli people speak Hebrew as well as Arabic, with English as the most popular
foreign language.
Interestingly, they read and write from the right to the left side of the page!
Education and Science
School attendance is mandatory from age five, and free through age 18. Almost
all three- and four-year-olds attend some kind of preschool program.
Israel's institutions of higher education include universities, offering a wide
range of subjects in science and humanities, and serving as research institutions
of worldwide repute, colleges offering academic courses and vocational schools.
The country’s high level of scientific research and development and the
application of R&D compensate for the country’s lack of natural resources.
http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/facts%20about%20israel/israel%20in%20brief/
Map of Israel – Areas of Touring
Masada:
Masada is located very close to the Dead Sea. According to historian Josephus
Flavius, Herod the Great built the fortress of Masada between 37 and 31 BCE;
Herod was hated by his Jewish subjects; he furnished Masada as a refuge for
himself. It included a casemate wall around the plateau, storehouses, large
cisterns, barracks, palaces, and an armory. About 75 years after Herod’s death, a
revolt of the Jews against the Romans in 66 CE, a group of Jewish rebels fled to
Masada. In 70 CE they were joined by zealots and their families who had fled
from Jerusalem. Then, in 73 CE, the Roman government starting invading
Masada and the rebels decided to burn the fortress and end their lives, rather
than be taken alive.
To reach Masada you can climb, hike paths,
or ride a cable car to the top.
http://www.delange.org/ADIsrael/Masada/Masada.htm
Dead Sea:
The Dead Sea’s name comes from the fact it has several rivers that run into it,
including the Jordan River, but it doesn’t have any rivers running out of it.
The weather in the area is very hot which causes evaporation, leaving behind
the famous mineral salts.
The plans for the trip!
Day One: Arrive in Tel-Aviv at
Ben Gurion International
Airport.
Stay overnight at hotel
near the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.
Mediterranean coast
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Day Two: Traveling and sightseeing to Megiddo-Biblical site
of Armageddon, Nazareth-Jesus’ birthplace, and the beautiful Sea of
Galilee.
Stay overnight at hotel.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------Day Three: Sail the Sea of Galilee and
Visit the Golan Heights.
Stay overnight at hotel near Sea of Galilee
Sea of Galilee
Day Four: Finish touring Sea of Galilee area,
visit Mt of Beatitudes-Where Jesus gave the Sermon
on the Mount, Beth Shean-visit archeological sites,
Dead Sea.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Dead Sea and salts
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Day Five: Tour Masada-Herod’s Fortress,
Qumran-where dead sea scrolls were found, Jerusalem.
Stay overnight at hotel
Masada Ruins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Day Six: Tour Old Jerusalem-Dome of the Rock Mosque
(and the Wailing Wall), Many Biblical sites of Jesus-Garden
Of Gethsemane, Via Dolorosa, Mt of Olives and more.
Stay overnight at hotel
Garden of Gethsemane
Day Seven: Continue Old Jerusalem,
Mt Zion-Upper Room (last supper),
Bethlehem-Jesus’ birthplace,
Shepherds Field-Biblical site of angel
announcing birth of Jesus, Garden
Tomb-Jesus’ burial site.
Stay overnight at hotel
Old Jerusalem-Dome of the Rock
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Day Eight: Begin journey back to U.S.
http://www.israeltourismconsultants.com/christian-tours-to-israel-holy-landtours-travel/in-the-footsteps-of-christ-tour-ii